PROTECTION AGAINST CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED ALOPECIA BY CYCLOSPORINE-A INTHE NEWBORN RAT ANIMAL-MODEL

Background: We have previously shown that several agents will protect against chemotherapy-induced alopecia in the newborn rat animal model, Such protective agents render the hair follicle keratinocytes resista nt to chemotherapy possibly by the expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Cyclosporin A (CSA) is a potent inhibitor of Pgp. Methods and Results : Efficacy of CSA was tested in its effects on chemotherapy-induced al opecia in the newborn rat animal model. CSA, when applied topically, p rotected rats from local alopecia induced by various agents. Conclusio n: The mechanism of protection by CSA and its relationship to Pgp rema in uncertain. The potential clinical applicability of this observation remains to be determined.